My version of "Car Talk"

This is a CV (constant velocity) Joint.

A good CV joint should look something like this.

A bad CV joint will look something like the one on my '98 Infinity.

I love taking my car in for a routine oil-change and then being told I have a major problem - a problem that if not corrected will cause my front axels to break, leaving me stranded on the road.

...when will I learn that irritating creaking-noises may be a hint that something could be wrong...